C h a n g e  o f  A d d r e s s USPS Online Address Change G e o g r a p h y South Carolina is one of the southeastern Atlantic Coast states and has an area of 31,055 square miles. Roughly triangular in shape, it is bordered on the north by North Carolina, on the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean and on the southwest by Georgia. As in most of the Atlantic coastal states, South Carolina has three major geographic divisions: the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont and the Appalachian Mountains. In the northwestern corner, the Blue Ridge Mountains, rising to 3,560 feet above sea level along the North Carolina border, give the state its highest elevations. From the mountains, the Piedmont, a region of rolling hills and valleys, descends to the broad, flat Coastal Plain which covers about two-thirds of the state. The plain dissolves into a broad band of salt marshes along the Atlantic coast. Here the land breaks up into numerous off-shore islands, most of which are south of the Santee River. Aside from the mountains, major topographic features are the many rivers and streams, all flowing in a general southeasterly direction, and a number of large lakes and reservoirs. Main rivers are the Pee Dee, Lynches, Black, Wateree, Santee, Congaree, Saluda, Edisto, Cooper, Broad and Savannah, which marks the South Carolina-Georgia border. On the Savannah River are the Hartwell, Russell and Thurmond Reservoirs. Largest of the other lakes are Greenwood, Murray, Marion, Moultrie, Wylie and Keowee   C l i m a t e The state's generally mild, humid climate is modified to a great extent by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Appalachian Mountains to the west. In the northwestern mountainous area, January temperatures average about 43°F, and July temperatures average about 79°F. Temperatures in the south average about 51°F in January and 81°F in July. Annual average precipitation totals approximately 46 inches. The state gets little snow with annual totals ranging from approximately seven inches in the mountains to light traces of snow in the south. P o p u l a t i o n South Carolina has a population of 3,505,707. Major metropolitan areas include Columbia, Charleston, Greenville and Spartanburg. The five largest communities in the state are: Columbia - 99,200 Charleston - 77,600 North Charleston - 63,100 Greenville - 60,900 Rock Hill - 51,000 G o v e r n m e n t Columbia, located in central South Carolina, is the state capital. For information about state government services and policies, contact: South Carolina State House 1200 Gervais Street Columbia 29201 (803) 898-8000 - Information The state has 46 counties with headquarters in the respective county seats. Information about county governments can usually be obtained at the county courthouse. VOTING To vote in South Carolina, an individual must be a citizen of the U.S., at least 18 years of age, a resident of the state, and registered 30 days prior to the election in the county and precinct of residence. Application to register may be made in person at the office of the County Board of Voter Registration, at legally organized voter registration drives held periodically in each county or by using a registration-by-mail form. Applications to register can be found at the Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Social Services, Department of Health & Environmental Control, Department of Mental Health, other state agencies or on-line at www.state.sc.us/scsec. There is no length of residency requirement for registration. T a x e s Income The State imposes personal income taxes at rates ranging from 2.5% to 7%. Property Property taxes are levied by county and municipal governments. Millage rates are established by school districts, counties and municipalities and vary from one locality to another. All household goods and furniture used in the home are exempt from property taxation, and intangible personal property is also exempt. Sales The State levies a sales and use tax of 5%. A local option tax of 1% is collected in many of the counties. For information about state taxes, contact: South Carolina Department of Revenue P.O. Box 125 Columbia 29214 (803) 898-5660 website address: http://www.dor.state.sc.us L i c e n s e s Auto and Driver's An individual must apply for a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days and motor vehicle registration plates within 45 days after establishment of residence. For information, contact: South Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 1498 Columbia 29216 (803) 251-2940 - Driver Services (803) 251-2960 - Vehicle Services Fee for driver's license, valid for five years, is $12.50. Written and driving tests are required for original license. Minimum age, 16; drivers permit is issued at age 15. A new resident with a valid drivers license from another state is required to take an eye test and pay the South Carolina drivers license fee. The written and driving tests are not required. License examinations are conducted at the Division of Motor Vehicles offices in every county in South Carolina. Application for motor vehicle registration must be made to the Division of Motor Vehicles at the above address or at any of the branch offices. Fee for registration is $24 every two years for passenger vehicles (privately owned). Proof of ownership, tax receipt from the county treasurer indicating no motor vehicle tax liability and proof of liability insurance are prerequisites to registration. Fee for certificate of title is $5. Seat Belt/Child Restraints Seat belts are required for driver, front-seat passengers and back-seat passengers if vehicle is equipped with shoulder straps. Child restraints are required for children under six. Radar Detectors Radar detectors are permitted in the state. Passenger Car Trailers Registration is not required if empty weight of the trailer is less than 2,500 pounds; otherwise, the annual fee is $10. Compliance with lights, brakes, hitch and size regulations is required. License plates (fee $10) and title (fee $5) are required. Motorcycles Proper classification of driver's license is required for operation of motorcycles and motordriven cycles; fee, $12.50. Operators must pass a special driving test. Protective goggles, glasses or windscreen is required. Helmet is required for driver and passenger under 21. Registration fee is $10 every two years. Title is required; fee, $5. Motorcycles must be equipped with one rearview mirror. Lights must be on at all times while vehicle is in operation. Motor Vehicle Insurance South Carolina has a compulsory liability insurance law for all motor vehicles subject to registration, including motorcycles and motor-driven cycles. Minimum limits are $15,000/ 30,000/5,000. The state has a Non-Resident Service of Process Law and has no Guest Suit Law. The state also has an "add-on" no-fault insurance law. Snowmobiles Registration is not required unless snowmobiles are operated on a public road. Watercraft All watercraft with mechanized propulsion must be registered; fee, $10 for three years. All watercraft must be titled; fee, $3. For information, contact: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Boat Titling & Registration P.O. Box 167 Columbia 29202 (803) 734-3857 Firearms When a hand gun is purchased in South Carolina from a retail pistol dealer, a Pistol Purchase and Application Form must be completed. Then, an Instant Criminal Background Check is made by the State Law Enforcement Division at the time of the purchase. If approved, the handgun may be sold immediately. No type of registration is required on handguns sold person to person, or guns brought into the state from another state, but a bill of sale is recommended. Only law enforcement officers and manufacturers are allowed to own or possess fully automatic weapons. Handguns may be transported through the state only when secured in a closed glove compartment, console or trunk of a vehicle. Information may be obtained from: South Carolina Law Enforcement Department Regulatory Services P.O. Box 21398 Columbia 29221-1398 (803) 896-7014 Fishing & Hunting Information about the state's fishing and hunting regulations may be obtained from: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Game & Freshwater Fisheries Division P.O. Box 167 Columbia 29202 (803) 734-3886 Alcoholic Beverages Liquor is sold by the drink at licensed establishments and by the package at retail liquor stores. No Sunday sales are permitted except in establishments with special permits. Legal age for purchase and consumption is 21. No liquor may be imported from another state. Pets Interstate health certificates are required for pets, livestock and birds. Dogs and cats must have rabies inoculations within one year prior to entry, and horses a negative EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia) test within 12 months prior to entry. For information, contact: State Veterinarian P.O. Box 102406 Columbia 29224-2406 (803) 788-2260 Plants In South Carolina, certification of all houseplants is preferred rather than required. However, all plant material is subject to inspection upon entering the state. For information, contact: Department of Plant Industry Clemson University 511 Westinghouse Road Pendleton 29670 (864) 646-2130 E c o n o m y   &   E m p l o y m e n t The economy of the state is primarily based on manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, mining, construction, transportation, government employment and the wholesale, retail and service industries. Manufactured products include textiles, chemicals, processed meats, furniture, pulp and paper products and the fabrication of motors, automobile parts and small steel products. Major agricultural products are tobacco, livestock and cultivation of woodlands. Principle minerals are gold, kaolin, vermiculite, granite, sand and gravel. For current information on employment opportunities in South Carolina, contact: South Carolina Employment Security Commission 1550 Gadsden Street Columbia 29201 (803) 737-2400 website address: www.sces.org E d u c a t i o n Elementary and Secondary/Public Specific information about the schools of a particular district may be obtained from the local superintendent of schools. For additional information concerning the state's school system in general, contact: State Department of Education 1429 Senate Street Columbia 29201 (803) 734-8500 Colleges and Universities Public Two-year technical colleges are located in: Aiken Beaufort Charleston Cheraw Columbia Conway Denmark Florence Greenville Greenwood Kingstree Orangeburg Pendleton Rock Hill Spartanburg Sumter Senior colleges and universities include: The Citadel-The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston Clemson University, Clemson Coastal Carolina University, Myrtle Beach Frances Marion University, Florence Lander University, Greenwood Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston South Carolina State University, Orangeburg Winthrop University, Rock Hill The University of South Carolina has campuses in: Aiken Allendale Beaufort Columbia Lancaster Spartanburg Sumter Union Private Two-year colleges include: Columbia Junior College, Columbia Forrest Junior College, Anderson Nielsen Electronics Institute, Charleston Spartanburg Methodist College, Spartanburg Four-year colleges and universities include: Allen University, Columbia Anderson College, Anderson Benedict College, Columbia Charleston Southern University, Charleston Clafin College, Orangeburg Coker College, Hartsville Columbia College, Columbia Columbia International University, Columbia Converse College, Spartanburg Erskine College, Due West Furman University, Greenville Johnson & Wales University, Charleston Limestone College, Gaffney Morris College, Sumter Newberry College, Newberry North Greenville College, Tigerville Presbyterian College, Clinton Southern Wesleyan University, Central Voorhees College, Denmark Wofford College, Spartanburg R e c r e a t i o n South Carolina has 46 state parks and two national forests: Francis Marion, 251,000 acres; and Sumter, 360,000 acres. Nearly all offer camping, picnicking, hiking, boating, fishing and swimming. Lodges, cabins and food service are available at selected parks. Water sports of all kinds are popular at the Atlantic beaches and inland lakes. The mountains offer a variety of recreational opportunities. The state has a long hunting season, especially for deer; other game include turkey, quail, rabbit, squirrel, fox, opossum, raccoon and migratory waterfowl. Spectator sports include horse shows, steeplechases, thoroughbred and standardbred races, polo at Camden and Aiken, auto races, regattas and intercollegiate sports events. Other state attractions are museums, fairs, festivals, historic sites, tours of 18th and 19th century homes and gardens, old plantations and churches. For information about recreational opportunities, contact: South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism 1205 Pendleton Street Columbia 29201 (803) 734-0122